Broward Health To Begin Vaccinating The Public Against COVID This Week
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Broward Health will begin vaccinating the public against COVID-19 this week.
The vaccinations will begin Wednesday, December 30th. Those wanting to get vaccinated must pre-register, no walk-ups will be accepted.
People wanting vaccinations must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- People ages 65 and over
- Office staff of Broward Health's credentialed physicians
- EMS
- Non-credentialed community healthcare providers who do not have access to the vaccine, as well as their office staff
Those who are eligible to receive a vaccination must call Broward Health's Nurse Connect line at (954) 759-7500 to be screened and scheduled.
In addition, vaccines are available for all Broward Health employees and credentialed medical staff at Broward Health's hospitals. Credentialed medical staff members should call their regional medical staff office to schedule an appointment.
"For months we've asked the public to hold on a little longer and follow safety measures such as masking and social distancing. The vaccine – a light at the end of the tunnel – was in sight," said Dr. Aldo Calvo, the medical director of ambulatory services at Broward Health. "Tomorrow, for so many of our community's most vulnerable, that day is here."
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Calvo told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "We finally have hope in the form of a vial, Moderna for COVID-19. All we have been doing for the past 9 months is trying to mitigate the virus by wearing a mask and washing hands and having separation of 6 feet. While we should continue doing this we always knew that the end of the pandemic would not occur unless there were a series of vaccinations."
"By doing appointments we are able to have a methodical way to get people immunized," said Calvo.
Broward Mayor Steve Geller told D'Oench that a prominent doctor who advises the State Health Department had some promising news.
"She told me that they were about to complete vaccinations for 35 nursing home and they hope to start by this Sunday with a drive through POD in Broward Central Park to vaccinate people older than 65. These vaccinations are so important to help people who are most vulnerable. We need some encouraging news and I remind you to stay safe, wear a mask and remember to social distance," he said.
Geller said as many as 10 drive-through PODs may be eventually set up for those vaccinations.
Meanwhile, spokespersons for the Florida Department of Health in both Broward and Miami-Dade say their departments are working on plans to implement vaccinations for those 65 years and older. It's likely that people will have to make appointments and bring photo ID with them.
